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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
The teachers in our medical college should encourage the stu-
dents to gain all the knowledge they can in every department. If
they find any students deficient in caretaking, in a comprehension of
their responsibilities, they should lay the matter frankly before such
ones, giving them an opportunity to correct their habits and to reach
a higher standard.
The teachers should not become discouraged because some are
slow to learn. Neither should they discourage the students when
mistakes are made. As errors and defects are kindly pointed out,
the students in turn should feel grateful for any instruction given. A
haughty spirit on the part of the students should not be encouraged.
All should be willing to learn, and the teachers should be willing to
instruct, training the students to be self-reliant, competent, careful,
painstaking. As the students study under wise instructors, and unite
with them in sharing responsibilities, they may by the aid of the
teachers climb to the topmost round of the ladder.
Students should be willing to work under those of experience,
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to heed their suggestions, to follow their advice, and to go as far
as possible in thought, training, and intelligent enterprise; but they
should never infringe upon a rule, never disregard one principle,
that has been interwoven with the upbuilding of the institution. The
dropping down is easy enough; the disregard of regulations is natural
to the heart inclined to selfish ease and gratification. It is much easier
to tear down than to build up. One student with careless ideas may
do more to let down the standard than ten men with all their effort
can do to counteract the demoralizing influence.
Failure or success will be read in the course the students pursue.
If they stand ready to question rules and regulations and order, if they
indulge self, and by their example encourage a spirit of rebellion,
give them no place. The institution might better close its doors than
suffer this spirit to leaven the helpers and break down the barriers
that it has cost thought, effort, and prayer to establish.
In training workers to care for the sick, let the student be im-
pressed with the thought that his highest aim should always be to
look after the spiritual welfare of his patients. He should learn to
repeat the promises of God’s word, and to offer fervent prayers daily,
while preparing for service. Help him to realize that he is always
to keep the sweetening, sanctifying influence of the great Medical